Wednesday, June 6, 2012
1 John 1:8-10 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
THE TRAIN OF CONFESSION
Sometimes we find it hard to openly admit when we've done something wrong. We shy away from open repentance saying things like, "Nobody's perfect," or "You would do the same thing." I think we're afraid of raw and open confession because we feel shame and embarrassment. We hesitate to admit our sins openly because we can't see past the emotional difficulty of shame.
But John reveals that the train of confession doesn't stop at the station of shame. It goes on to the land of forgiveness and freedom. When we confess our dirty sins, surely we feel shame. Our sinful words and actions ARE shameful. But when we confess our sins to God, He forgives us our sins because Jesus already suffered the punishment for those sins. And God promises not only to forgive those who bring their sins to Him, He also promises to help us avoid those shameful things in the future.
When people refuse to admit their sinfulness, they never experience the freedom of forgiveness. Like John says, if we claim we have not sinned we are calling God a liar. We're saying, "God, I don't accept your standards, and I don't believe your promise to forgive."
Don't do this. Confession leads to Christ, and in Christ is forgiveness of sins and freedom from guilt. If you've ever confessed your sins before God and heard the response from His Word, you know how fast Christ's train to peace truly is.
